He's already got four albums, one titled "Grand Isle, Louisiana," and nine music videos to his name. He has appeared at venues like The Grouse Room, Southport Music Hall and festivals and events in both Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Country music singer/songwriter Beauregard "Bud" Torres also just released a new album, "Time in a Bottle."

By day, Torres is a lawman. He has been sheriff of Pointe Coupee Parish for 11 years. Before that, he was a Louisiana State Trooper for 25 years.

If you haven't heard of this top cop on the music scene, there is a reason.

"I don't play that many gigs," Torres said. "I do very limited public appearances because of my job. I opened for Bayou Country Superfest, and that was really cool. But I limit my exposure - not too much on the weekends."

Bud Torres performs in New Orleans at the Bayou Country Superfest(Photo: Zack Smith)

As sheriff, Torres can be called on day or night to respond to a crime. He has worked everything from triple homicides to burglaries and been a dedicated law enforcement agent for decades. He spent years as an undercover narcotics officer with the state police. He enjoyed so much success in his law enforcement career, the citizens of Pointe Coupee elected him sheriff in 2007, beating out the incumbent.

But recently, the Maringouin native decided to reignite his lifelong interest in music. As a teenager, he played in a high school band and had a rock and roll band as well. He said he really wanted to play guitar, but since he is left-handed, that was a problem.

"They didn't have left handed guitars, so that made me abandon the thought," Torres recalled. "But five years ago, I got on the internet and I saw they make left handed guitars now. So I bought one and taught myself how to play. Four albums later, I figured out, I can write songs."

Torres considers himself more of a song writer than a performer. He is limited in when and where he can play his music, because he still has to consider his day job.

"I try not to book where I'm the only act," Torres added, "in case something happens."

And, when you are a sheriff in Louisiana, something happens all the time.

Pointe Coupee Parish includes an area outside Baton Rouge. It's part of the greater Baton Rouge metropolitan area. The sheriff's office is located in New Roads, population about 4,900. The parish also encompasses the Atchafalaya Wildlife Refuge and stretches all the way to the Mississippi line.

Torres is often called to work crime scenes, answering those calls several times a week.

"We are a rural area, but we have some of the same problems as larger areas," he said. "Domestic violence, theft, a lot of accidents, drug problems, like everyone else."

Torres' worst memory was the case of a deputy (an employee) and her young daughter who were killed in a murder-suicide by the deputy's husband. Torres said he has never had to leave a performance after such a case, but those memories don't go away.

"It's an emotional roller coaster, " Torres said. "Just like every other police officer, the stress police work causes is not typical of what most creative people go through. It's a challenge."

Torres said writing a song is the hardest thing he's had to do, but that is part of why he likes it. The creative part of him finds making music therapeutic.

"Police work is reactionary. You're always trying to pick up pieces of someone else's mess. Music is a big escape for me."

Some listeners have not been so supportive of the singing sheriff. Torres has been blasted on radio as well as Facebook, many telling him to choose between being a country music star or a sheriff. None of that bothers him, though. Despite the criticism, Torres has found a bit of success in music.

Sheriff Torres plays music at a local venue(Photo: Kay Mchenry)

Some of his tunes have been played on local radio stations and three of his songs were submitted for Grammys. He recorded the song "Better Man" with Louisiana legend Doug Kershaw at Sony Studios. That tune made it through to the second round of the Grammy process, but, not to the final five.

"It was exciting," Torres said. "I was impressed it even made it to the first round."

Former Lafayette Parish Sheriff Don Breaux has called Torres a friend and colleague for many years.

Breaux is also a fan.

"I really like his music," Breaux said. "Especially 'Time In A Bottle.' He does a real good job on that."

Breaux has seen Torres perform locally and disagrees with the criticism Torres has received, calling him a dedicated public servant above all.

"He puts the sheriff job first," Breaux said. "He is just a great guy with a lot of compassion for a sheriff. He takes care of his business."

With songs like "Louisiana State of Mind" and "Saltwater Cowboy," Torres' music can be described as a mix of delta blues and old time country. He often sings about his love for offshore fishing in Louisiana, particularly in Grand Isle.

Bud Torres, pictured during his time as a Louisiana State Trooper(Photo: Louisiana State Police)

His favorite is "Louisiana State of Mind," which he wrote in tribute to his Louisiana heritage.

"My family has been here 300 years," he said. There is no place like Louisiana and I love it."

Torres, 59, has been married to his wife, Neysa, for 38 years. They have two sons and three granddaughters.

He said he has no plans to give up being sheriff to pursue a full-time music career. But, he also isn't ruling out anything in the future.

"I take it day by day," Torres added. "I'm committed to running for another term. This is my community, my home. I don't know if I'm that good to do it full time, but it's really humbling to be in an arena where my experience can't really help me. I'm competing with some very talented people who have devoted their lives to this work. This is just my small contribution."